Ditching and grading machine.



No. 839,516. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

R. RUSSELL.

DITGHING AND GRADING MACHINE. APPLICATION nun FEB. 27, 1904.

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PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

R. RUSSELL. DITGHING AND GRADING MACHINE.

APPLIOATN FILED FEB. 27, 1904.

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Naik TH! uanms Prrsns zo 'wlsnmommau UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD RUSSELL. OF S"EPHEN, HINNESOTA. ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES K. STOOKLAND, OF STEPHE MINNESOTA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed February 2'7. 1904.. fierial No- 195,640.

To all whom, it 77250; con/007 71 Be it known that I, RICHARD RUssELL, of Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ditching and Grading Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ditching and grading machines of the side-delivery type. In the operation of this machine it is customary to provide side boards for the carrienbelt to prevent the sod and gravel brought up by the plow from passing off the sides of the belt. The boards are sometimes broken and the belt frequently clogged and stopped by the pressure of the material against them; and the object of my invention is to provide a yielding board that will give under pressure and has a moving surface that will keep the turf and gravel in motion and prevent clogging.

A further object is to provide an improved form of scoop for the receiving end of the belt.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

The invention consists generally in yieldingly mounting one of the side boards to permit its outer end to move under pressure of the material 011 the belt.

Further, the invention consists in providing a feed-belt operating over the surface of said board in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the carrier-belt.

Further, the invention consists in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a ditching and grading machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the receiving end of the carrier-belt and the mechanisms connect ed therewith. Fig. 3 is a side View of the carrier-belt frame, showing the feed-belt thereon and the plow at the receiving end of the frame. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the scoop device substituted in place of the plow. Fig. 6 is a section on the line a: a; of Fig. i.

In the drawings, 2 represents a suitable wheeled frame whereon a ditching and grad ing apparatus is supported.

3 is the frame of the side-delivery carrier, having suitable bearings for the belt 4, the receiving end of which is near the plow 5, that is pivotally connected with the machineframe in any suitable manner.

I do not in this application make any claim to the plow, and hence do not consider it necessary to illustrate in detail its connections with the frame, it being sul'licient to show its polsition at the receiving end of the carrierbe t.

A side board 6 is provided in front of the plow, and in the rear thereof is a similar board 7, that is mounted at its inner end on a vertical shaft 8 and at its outer end is pro vided with a bracket 9, having arms 10, upon which are springs 11,that normally tend to press the outer end of the side board in to ward the carrier-belt and are adapted to yield when pressure is applied thereto. The ends of the arms 10 are preferably slidably mounted in a bracket 12 to allow the side board to adjust itself to the pressure of the material. Rolls 13 are mounted in the bracket 9 on the shaft 8, and a slatted carrier-belt 14 is operated from said rolls in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the carrier-belt 4. The belt 14 is kept in motion through a chain 15, that connects the shaft 8 with a shaft 16, which is driven by a belt 17 from the operating-shaft 18. This shaft 18 transmits power for operating the carrier-belt and ispreferablyoperated from a gasolene-engine (not shown) mounted on the frame of the machine.

In operation the turf and gravel loosened by the plow will be guided by the moldboard thereon up to the belt and against the yielding side board. The pressure of the turf and gravel on the belt will cause the board to yield slightly and will prevent any possible breakage, and the feed-belt moving in a direction parallel to the carrier-belt will tend to distribute the turf and gravel thereon, directing it toward the center of the carrier-belt and prevent any possible clogging thereof.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I have shown a scoop device 20 in place of the plow secured to the end of the carrier-belt frame, and this scoop has a beveled or inclined edge 21, that digs into the soil, and an inwardly-turned edge 22, that serves to direct the sand upon the carrier-belt. I prefer to incline the edge 21 away from the carrier-belt and frame to avoid any possibility of roots or other obstructions becoming lodged between the scoop and frame and interrupt, if not entirely prevent, the proper working of the parts.

I claim as my invention r 1. In a machine of the class described, a side 4 delivery carrier belt in combination with a side board, and a feed-belt operating past said board parallel substantially with said carrier-belt, for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a side-delivery frame and a carrier-belt thereon, of a side board pivoted at its inner end on said frame and the outer end of said board being arranged to yield laterally under pressure of the material on said belt.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a side -delivery carrierframe and a belt mounted thereon, of. a feedbelt provided at one side of said carrier-belt and operating in the same direction therewith but in a plane substantially at right angles thereto, for the purpose specified.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a side-delivery carrierframe and a belt mounted thereon, of a feedbelt provided at one side of said carrier-belt and operating in a direction parallel there- With.

5. Ina machine of the class described, the combination, with a carrier-frame and a belt mounted thereon, of a side board yieldingly supported on said frame, and a feed-belt operating past the surface of said side board, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a carrienframe and its belt, of a side board mounted on said frame, rolls provided at one end of said board, and a feed-belt operating over said rolls in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said carrier-belt.

7. In a machine of the class described, a scoop having a cutting edge obliquely arranged With respect to the draft-line and an upwardly-curved guiding edge forming an inwardly-inclined continuation of said cutting edge, substantiall I as described.

8. In a machine of t e class described, the combination, with a side delivery carrier frame and a belt mounted thereon, of a slatted feed-belt provided at one side' of the receiving end of said frame and operating in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of said carrier-belt, and means for driving said feed-belt.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a side delivery carrierframe and a carrier mounted thereon, of a side board pivoted at its inner end near said belt, a bracket provided at the outer end of said board and having laterally-projecting arms, suitable guides for said arms, and springs provided on said arms between said guides and said bracket.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of February, 1904:.

RICHARD RUSSELL.

In presence of RICHARD PAUL, M. HAGERTY. 

